Eumir Marcial goes full throttle in training for Paris Olympics

Eumir Marcial is wasting no time in training for his second stint in the Olympics.

Marcial booked his slot to the 2024 Paris Olympics after being a finalist in the men's 80-kg division of the 2023 Asian Games, where he claimed silver.

Days before leaving for Las Vegas to continue his training, Marcial is maximizing his time to train as he moved his weight class to light heavyweight from middle weight.

Marcial, who claimed bronze in Tokyo three years ago, said he might face former foe Oleksandr Khyzhniak anew in Paris.

"Nandito sila sa weight class ko ngayon, lahat ng magagaling. Sa laban na 'to, handa 'yung katawan ko physically, mentally, and spiritually," Marcial said in JP Soriano's 24 Oras report on Thursday.

"Inspired ako the same time andon 'yung pressure, 'yun po ang ginagamit kong motivation sa training ko."

(They are in my weight class now, all those good boxers. In this fight, I am ready physically, mentally, and spiritually. I am inspired and at the same time, the pressure is there. That is my motivation for training.)

With his eyes on the gold, the boxer said he may still fight in Europe before heading to Paris. Marcial recently triumphed against Thai foe Theodsak Sinam.

As of writing, the Philippines has nine athletes already qualified for the Paris Games.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News